Tyson Gay ran the fastest 100 meters of his career the day he first was congratulated for being national champion.
It was last Aug. 18 at a Golden League meet in Zurich, Switzerland, where a rival’s coach, John Smith, gave Gay the due he should have received two months earlier at the U.S. Championships in Indianapolis when he finished second in the 100 to Justin Gatlin.
“I think anyone would feel slightly cheated,” Gay said Wednesday. “The being able to wave to the fans, to have the victory with your family and friends there, that’s the part I wish I could have back.”
Gay was cheated because Gatlin had.
Gatlin won’t be back to regain a title USA Track & Field officials could not prevent him from trying to win, even though they learned about a week before the 2006 nationals that Gatlin’s urine “A” sample from the Kansas Relays two months earlier was positive for the banned steroid testosterone. Once the “B” sample was found positive in late July, USATF stripped Gatlin of the title, pending resolution of the appeal an arbitration panel will hear July 31.
In the interim, reigning world and Olympic 100-meter champion Gatlin has been banned for eight years.
“It doesn’t seem strange not having him here,” said Gay, now the favorite in the 100. “Track and field still is going to go on.”
Thursday night, when the 100-meter competition begins at the 2007 U.S. Championships, the defending female champ, Marion Jones, also will be absent.
Lauryn Williams, second a year ago, won’t miss the sport’s erstwhile superstar.
“I can’t say I’m upset,” said Williams, reigning 100-meter world champion. “The mood of the room changes when [Jones] is present; she commands most of the focus.”
Jones remains 2006 champion, even though her “A” sample from a doping control at nationals came back positive for the blood booster EPO. When the “B” test did not confirm the “A,” Jones was exonerated, but she cannot escape the shadow of her involvement with the BALCO steroids scandal although she never has tested positive.
BALCO founder Victor Conte has said he created a doping program for Jones, which she denied. Jones’ ex-husband, shot putter C.J. Hunter, reportedly told federal investigators he had seen Jones take a variety of banned substances.
Jones, winner of three gold medals at the 2000 Olympics, has not competed since last July. She reportedly married former Barbadian sprinter Obadele Thompson in February.
“To me, out of sight, out of mind,” Williams said. “Hopefully, people aren’t wasting time thinking about the negativity of the past.”
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phersh@tribune.com
